DENVER ZOO AND POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL GIVE PAW OF APPROVAL

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Recognized for Green Efforts

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery got a big polar bear "paws up" for being green this morning. Denver Zoo, in cooperation with City and County of Denver-Department of Environmental Health and Polar Bears International, presented the restaurant with the 2012 Paw of Approval Award. The award honors businesses in their communities that are taking exceptional strides to reduce their carbon output, which helps conserve worldwide polar bear habitat.

"We are honored to receive this award from Denver Zoo, an organization we deeply admire and view as a role model in sustainable stewardship," says Snooze, an A.M. Eatery CFO Adam Schlegel. "Equally, we look forward to continued partnership with the zoo in promoting sustainable actions in our communities."

The goal of the Paw of Approval Award is to recognize a local company that works to reduce its impact on the environment, especially in the areas of greenhouse gas and carbon reducing strategies. The award committee was impressed by the hard work each of the applicants have taken towards their sustainable business practices. Snooze not only meets the criteria, but excels, as noted by the examples listed below.

• Annual reduction of 961 Metric Tons of CO2 equivalents from diversion of 90% of their waste into composting and recycling. • Annual reduction of 44 Metric Tons of CO2 equivalents from use of LED, CFL, and other energy efficient lighting in their 6 stores. • 300,000 gallons of water saved through dual flush toilets, efficient faucets & spray nozzles. • 700 Vehicle Miles Traveled eliminated monthly from encouraging and incentivizing alternative transportation.• Establishing a culture change through individual behavior changes at the operation level. Employees attend Sustainability 101 course and learn how simple behavior changes like using reusable cups during shifts and keeping appliances off until needed and while not in use contribute to sustainable business. Management uses an Environmental Management System to provide continuous improvement and verify practices and impacts through an independent audit of their operations.• Snooze is not a large corporation with a dedicated department of "environmentalists" or "greenies," rather it is a small operation dedicated to resource conservations within their own business and demonstrating to others how it can be done.

"As a recognized leader in sustainability, we're thrilled to recognize Snooze in their efforts to operate a 'green' business," says Denver Zoo Executive Vice President/COO Kyle Burks. "Through their efforts they help us support our mission to secure a better world for animals through human understanding.

In 2011, Denver Zoo was named as an Arctic Ambassador Center by Polar Bears International. The goal of this partnership is to create stewardship opportunities and foster conservation actions that will increase public awareness of, and engage action towards, reducing CO2 to help save polar bear habitat. The PBI Arctic Ambassador Center network includes 39 zoos and aquariums around the world, all of whom commit to take earnest action in promoting climate change awareness and carbon reduction. Arctic Ambassador Center zoos also focus on animal well-being and enrichment and participate in PBI research, outreach and education programs.

While in town, representatives from Polar Bears International will also meet with zookeepers and speak at a teacher workshop discussing ways to reduce carbon footprints.